Rocking and rolling exerciser or toy



Nov. 30, 1965 P. GOMORY ETAL 3,220,744

ROCKING AND ROLLING EXERCISER 0R TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 7 Filed Sept. 8. 1964 INVENTORS n k W fiwo o 7 0 A aW M Z ME M; M xx mwp Nov. 30, 1965 P. GOMORY ETAL 3,220,744

ROCKING AND ROLLING EXERCISER OR TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1964 INVENTORS P1904 L. GONG/FY MARGHRET 5 MW)? 60m 0 Y AW/VEI'I'E 19. 6 0/702 7 BY Ava/AZ. a/og/v RY, JR 4 ATTO EY United States Patent 3 220 744 ROCKING AND RoLLniG EXERCISER on TOY Paul L. Gomory, Margaret Burke Gomory, Nanette A. Gomory, and Paul L. Gomory, Jr., all of Bethesda,

Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,773 11 Claims. (Cl. 280--1.11)

This invention relates to a device which can be defined as an exerciser or toy. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a toy having a tub-shaped bottom and at least one member onto which the toy can be rocked so that translation of motion will be imparted to said toy.

Observation of the human and some other forms of animals leads to the conclusion that muscular activity, as when exercising or even playing with a toy which requires the animal element to set it in motion, is an attractive pastime for said animals. The well being of animals appears to be intimately involved with exercise or play as well as with the mental relaxation which this affords.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide various attractive forms of devices which will afford the incentive to play or exercise. Further, many devices now available or which have been proposed have had inherently in them an element of danger when large enough to carry a person or to otherwise involve the interplay of forces of some real magnitude. Devices equipped with wheels, or slides, such as sleds or other coaster means, tend to go out of control and accidents occur all too frequently, as is well known. Yet the urge to move is ever present.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an attractive device which will not only provide the incentive to play but also to do it in a manner which does not create additional hazards to the safety of the animal in an already highly mechanized and device-laden world.

We have conceived a device which cannot travel beyond a predetermined distance yet can be made to travel in a predetermined direction and, therefore, avoid reaching a danger zone, yet will provide healthful fun, play or relaxation, and will continue to do so unless, indeed, the user most vigorously is bent on reaching such a danger zone. The device as herein set forth and described comprises means or elements in combination permitting a rocking and rolling action, i.e., a Rock-n-Roll without, however, travelling any real distance away from an initial point at which it may be placed, as by a mother tending a baby, who may be placed therein with utmost safety, the elements or means in combination, in one embodiment of the invention, comprising said person accommodating member, so shaped that it can be rocked, in combination with at least one rolling or sliding element permitting a well defined yet carefully limited travel of the rocked device from said initial point.

In a form of the invention, it is conceived that there is provided at least one means, such as a telescoping element or piston-operated bar or pusher, which can be manually or otherwise powered to cause the tub or bodycontaining portion of the device of the invention to rock on to the roll. Further, there can be provided in the bottom of the device a friction or other type braking mechanism, as herein described. Or the bottom, per se, can be so arranged as to provide the braking mechanism.

The device is engineered. That is to say, such matters of scientific knowledge as center of gravity, leverage action, couples, moments of inertia, etc., are taken into account so that that which can happen with respect to the movement or displacement of the device is carefully delineated inherently in its construction. Thus, the device of the invention can be designed readily to yield a maximum of healthful, pleasurable exercise or play, yet

3,220,744 Patented Nov. 30, 1965 be safe against accidental tip-over or unexpected travel into an area of danger.

It is an object of this invention to provide an exercise device. It is another object of this invention to provide a toy. A further object of the invention is to provide a device which can contain or transport a cargo. A still further object is to provide such a device as herein set forth which can be at least in part powered by an animal body, such as a person therein, and/or at least in part powered by a motor fluid, such as electricity or other power source, thus to provide healthful fun or exercise with an added incentive to partake of it. Still another object of the invention is to provide a device which responds to magnetic influences which are available from within and/or from without the device.

Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention are apparent from a study of this description, the drawing, and the appended claim-s.

According to the present invention there is provided a rocking and rolling (or sliding) device, which we have called for identification purposes a Rock-n-Roll exerciser or toy, comprising a main body element so shaped or equipped that it can be rocked or swayed and a further element in combination with said main body element on to which said main body element can be rocked for a roll or slide of a limited duration or extent and in a given direction, if this should be desired.

In view of the nature of the device of the present invention, it can and, therefore, is also termed Rollertub-toy.

Briefly, in one of its several embodiments, the invention comprises a Rock-n-Roll exerciser or toy, having a main portion, which in the large size of the device will accommodate a person, or several persons, who by rocking the device, from within the same, can rock it up onto one or more bearing surfaces, or rollers or slides, so that, in its temporary condition and position on the rollers, the device will roll or slide a distance, eventually falling back onto its bottom on which it is supported in a condition of rest, contact of the bottom with the surface upon which it normally rests causing a braking action arresting the roll or slide of the device but not necessarily the rotary or circular motion which may have been engendered and which may continue for a time as will appear more fully later herein. In another embodiment thereof, the device is rocked up onto a portion peripherally surrounding the main portion, to provide, as desired, not only a rolling action, but also a species of circular motion so that, when the device comes to rest on its bottom again, the person who may be therein has not only rocked and rolled, but has also turned or rotated through an angle. In another modification of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a magnetized portion in or about the device which can react with another magnetized or magnet-responsive element placed without the device to provide an interesting variation of the forces at play when the device is placed into or is in motion. This device can be constructed, also, to float in water or to roll on rough surfaces, as in grass. It can be provided with a handle, which can be at one tangential point, or which can be circumferential, the item becoming a shopping basket or a baby buggy. Indeed, the item can be made so that it is first used as a baby buggy and then later by the baby as a toy in which to rock. The main portion, or body, or shell, need not be hemispherical. It can have a tub or portion which can be semi-oval or of any other distorted or pleasing shape. Foamed plastic or other bumpers can be placed surrounding the item to prevent hurt upon collision. Foam pads can be placed within the item to prevent hurt upon collision. A drain can be provided at a low point to automatically drain water which can accumulate otherwise during a rain when the exerciser or toy has been left out doors. The item can be made washable and can be suitably decorated or printed to give it the appearance of an animal, etc., for example, it can be shaped to resemble a railroad train, or it can be otherwise shaped to make it attractive to the adult or child who will use the same for exercise or play. The rollers, or slides, or wheels, can be somewhat countersunk into the shell or tub and can be variously attached, as more fully described herein. The rollers can be of spongy or inflated rubber type to give a damping action as the weight of the main portion is transferred thereonto. At least one of the rollers, or bearings, on which the shell or tub portion travels when jostled in the direction of the roller or bearing and thereonto can be pivoted or otherwise mounted for steering purposes if desired. In such event, a steering handle or other mechanism can be projected upwardly through the shell so that at least one rider can manipulate the same. A manual or other power-driven mechanism can be incorporated and at least one roller can be power driven, for example, as by an electrically or otherwise powered device or motor so that when jostled onto the roller the shell can be motivated from within.

Thus, in one of its aspects, the invention comprises an object having a bottom shaped to render the object unstable in a substantially horizontal position and so that it can be rocked, and at least one member on said bottom, disposed away from said lowermost portion of said bottom, onto which said object can be rocked; in a preferred embodiment, the lowermost portion of said bottom being determined when the object is held in a horizontal position. In another of its aspects, the invention comprises a main container or tub-like portion which can contain a seat portion and which can be variously shaped and which possesses the characteristics of the object just described. In a further aspect of the invention, the said member is a wheel, roll or a series of rollers, or a slide, or a peripheral member or element or elements, as later more fully described.

In the drawings, there are shown according to the invention in FIGURE 1 a simple diagrammatic cross section of the embodiment of the invention in one of its elementary, yet operative, form, in which a tub portion adapted to seat at least one person is equipped with at least two rollers, wheel or slide. In FIGURE 2, the tub portion is provided with a circular slide or roller portion which can be composed of several sections or wheels, rollers, or slides, mounted as may be desired on a rod which can be positioned and secured to the tub or main body portion by struts, the rollers, etc., being mounted on the rod, the ends of which are retained together by a sleeve retained on the rod end-s by screws. In FIGURE 2 is also shown schematically the disposition of a motive fluid power propelling rocking device, as well as the use of a magnetized portion or element. In FIGURE 3 is shown a tub which has pairs of wheels which give the tub more stability when being used in the conventional manner. There is also provided in FIGURE 3 a bustle to prevent the tub from rolling over should the user become carried away with vigorous play. In FIGURE 4 is shown a partial cross section through the tub in FIGURE 2 along line 44. In FIGURE 5 is shown an embodiment of the invention wherein a steering device may be used to steer the tub while rocking and rolling or to pull the tube when it is being used for other purposes. FIGURE 6 'showns schematically how the rod of FIGURE 2 may be joined so that wheels may be added to, subtracted from or replaced on the ring. In FIGURE 7 is shown a tub portion which is partly pyramidal and partly spherical or bulbous in shape, it being possible to have the tub of several combination of shapes or simply of one shape. On this tub are shown slots adapted to receive telescoping spring biased rollers. It will be noted, also, that FIGURE 7 illustrates a bustle or ridge onto which the tub toy can be rolled for a slide thereof upon an appropriate surface,

as a polished floor in an amusement park in which a number of these units can be concentrated for much fun and relaxation. FIGURES shows a cross section through the telescoping roller of FIGURE 7. FIGURE 9 shows a simple embodiment of the invention wherein only one wheel and one seat are used.

It will be evident to one skilled in the art of producing such devices as herein set forth and described that the materials of construction can be various, e.g., plastic, rubber of various kinds, hard and soft, wood, metal, etc., or any combination of these. Self-lubricating qualities of high density polyolefins as set forth and described and claimed in US. Patent 2,825,721, issued March 4, 1958, to Messrs. Hogan and Banks, can be advantageously used.

Details of design and construction can be various, as the engineer or constructor of the device will readily understand and can supply.

The instant invention, in several basic concepts and embodiments, is sharply to be distinguished from the prior art devices suited to exercising or play by the functions they accomplish, respectively. Body motions and combinations of motions are importantly novel and obtained in a manner and with devices which are novel.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a hemispherical body 1 is provided with seats 4, wheels 2 which are supported by brackets 3. Two floors 5 and 6 are provided in the body. The tub will be subjected to a large amount of wear on bottom 6 which may be replaceable. A cushion 7, which can be made of foam rubber and the like, is provided on top of the tub for protective purposes. In operation, the occupants of the tub will rock back onto wheels 2 and roll a distance until the weight of the tub and/or occupants will cause the tub to bump down on bottom 6, which will cause the tub to stop rolling. It can thus be seen that the tub can be moved in either direction by a continuous rocking and rolling action.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, a hemispherical body 1, as shown in cross section in FIGURE 4, is provided with a series of wheels 2, supported by brackets 3. The wheels are held in place by a rod which passes circularly around the periphery of the body 1 and is designated by numeral 8. The rodcan be joined by a sleeve 19, as shown in FIGURE 6. The sleeve contains two screws 20 which hold the respective ends of the rod in place. An electric motor 28, connected to grooved wheel 29. which drives belt 32 and in turn grooved wheel 30 which is directly connected to wheel 16, can be placed inside the tub body 1. A rod 15 attached to the body 1 extends from the body to a wheel 16 which can be driven by the motor. Thus, in rocking back and forth, the wheel will contact the ground and the motor, in combination with the wheel, will provide motive power for the tub 1. A magnet 17 may be attached to the outer portion of body 1. The magnet can coact with magnet 18 to provide restrictive or motive force to the tub. The magnets can be used in attracting arrangement, that is, with the north pole in the body 1 and the south pole on a wall, or vice versa, to keep the tub in a designated area. Or the magnets 17 and 18 can be both north and both south poles, in which caes the tub will be repelled when the tub comes into close contact with magnet 18. This later combination can provide a spinning action or a linear repulsive action, as is obvious from the description.

FIGURE 3 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the tub body 1 rests on a relatively sharp point 9. Sets of wheels 2 are provided to give the tub more stability so that the tub can travel greater distances before the center of gravity causes it to bump down on point 9. Bustle 10 is provided so that the tub will not roll over in the event that the operator becomes over-zealous.

Referring to FIGURE 5, there is provided a tub body 1 with at least one wheel 2 supported by bracket 3 and a seat 4. A wheel 11 which can steer the tub is provided with shaft 13 which is supported on the tub body by 12 and has a steering member 14. When used by the occupant, the tub can be steered by member 14. In other words, when the occupant rocks up onto wheel 2 and effects a translational movement away from point 6, shaft 13 can be pushed down so that wheel 11 as well as wheel 2 contacts the ground. At this time, the occupant can put at least partial support on shaft 13 and wheel 11 and by so doing turn handle 14 and steer the toy. If it is desirable to use the tub for carrying groceries and the like, there may be provided a means by which the shaft 13 will extend downwardly with respect to the body 1, so that the bottom 6 will no longer be in contact with the ground and the tub can be freely pulled along. To maintain the telescoping rod 13 in a fixed position, a screw and sleeve arrangement such as shown in FIGURE 6 can be provided in sleeve 12.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, a one-piece shell 1 is provided with bustle 10, pyramidal bottom 21 and a slot 22 adapted to receive a telescoping roller, as shown in FIGURE 8. In operation, the tub body will rest on a face 21, and, when rocked, can he slid along on bustle 10. Thus, when movement is desired, the occupant simply rocks back and bumps up on bustle 10, whereby the tub will slide along until the imbalance in the tub overcomes the momentum provided by the occupant and it bumps down on pyramidal face 21 and grinds to a halt. It can be seen that this bump and grind action will provide helpful exercise and recreation for anyone. In the alternate, the occupant can cause the tub to bump up on roller 23, in which case the tub will roll for a distance and bump down on a pyramidal face 21. The roller 23 is, as shown in FIGURE 8, comprised of a telscoping member 25 supported by hearing member 26. A spring 24 can be provided to give resiliency to the telescoping member 25. Thus, it can be seen that the telescoping roll 23 can be inserted in tub body 1 at will.

Referring to FIGURE 9, a simple embodiment in shown wherein the body 1 has only one wheel 2 supported by bracket 3. A seat 4 is provided in the body over wheel 2. A drain plug 27 is provided for draining water from the tub in the event that rain water is collected therein.

The tub portion can have one or more seats which can be peripherally and/ or centrally disposed. The rollers or slides can be arranged, one or more of them, to permit the tub to roll or slide in essentially only a certain direction or directions, albeit the tub can still be tilted or rocked or steered.

The device can be manufactured with webs along the bottom or elsewhere for reinforcement or for bearing or braking surfaces and can be equipped with a roller or friction brake which, in one embodiment, will extend through the shell or tub portion of the device and contact the ground.

Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims, the essence of which is that there is provided an exerciser or toy comprising a bottom shaped to render the object unstable in substantially horizontal position and at least one member on said bottom disposed away from the lowermost portion of said bottom onto which said toy or object can be rocked.

We claim:

1. An open top toy or exerciser comprising a tub-like receptacle body (a) substantially hemispherically shaped adapted to rest open end upward on the bottom portion thereof,

(b) in a substantial point contact at a place on a substantially horizontal surface,

(c) said receptacle body being so structured as to support a body when said toy is in use, and to render the toy unstable at least when rocked,

(d) at least one wheel positioned outward of and being supported by said body,

(e) said wheel being so positioned a spaced distance from said point of contact so that when said toy is only in" contact at said point, said wheel does not touch the horizontal surface,

(f) said wheel being so oriented to facilitate translational motion away from the place of contact of said toy on said surface when said toy is rocked up onto said wheel.

2. An open top toy or exerciser comprising a tub-like receptable body whose bottom portion is so structured as to provide a substantial point contact with a substantially horizontal surface adapted to be positioned open end upward on a place on its bottom so that the toy rests in a substantial point contact at a place on a substantially horizontal surface.

said receptacle body being so structured as to support a body when said toy is in use, and to render the toy unstable at least when rocked,

means substantially protruding out from said body to facilitate translational movement of said toy away from the place on said horizontal surface in contact with said bottom of said toy,

said means being so positioned and so disposed on a portion of the surface of said body between said place and the top of said toy so that said toy can be rocked up onto said member means to facilitate translational movement when rocking motion is imparted to said toy, whereby said translational movement of said toy is effected when said toy is rocked up onto said means,

said member being above and away from said place on said bottom and being so shaped and positioned so that said member and said place will not simultaneously contact said horizontal surface.

3. A toy according to claim 2, wherein said means to facilitate translational movement comprises a bustle-like protrusion, said protrusion being molded integrally with said body.

4. A toy according to claim 2 wherein said means to facilitate translational movement comprises a telescopingly-engag'ed roller which is positioned on said body.

5. A toy according to claim 2 wherein said means to facilitate translational movement comprises a wheel mounted on a bracket fixedly attached to said bottom, said wheel being rotatable so as to provide a rolling movement of said toy away from said point of contact on said horizontal surface when said toy is rocked up onto said wheel.

6. A toy according to claim 2 wherein said means to facilitate translational movement comprises a plurality of wheels surrounding said body attached to a detachable rod which is attached to brackets, said brackets functioning as a means-for fixing said rod and said wheels onto said body so that said wheels can rotate freely unrestrained by said body.

7. A toy according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a wheel and a motorized means for applying rotary motion to said wheel which will give translation of motion to said toy when said toy is rocked onto said wheel.

8. A toy according to claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the bottom of said body is pyramid shaped and said bottom comes to a point on which said toy will rest, and said means to facilitate translational movement comprising at least one pair of wheels onto which said toy can be rocked.

9. A toy according to claim 5 wherein there is provided a handle member connected to a rotatable shaft which vertically telescopes through said body portion, said shaft connected to a wheel on the end thereof which extends out of the bottom of said toy, said combination of handle, shaft and wheel being adapted to steer said toy.

10. A toy according to claim 2 where the bottom of said body is pyramidal shaped.

11. A toy according to claim 2 wherein said toy has positioned on it a means to react to a magnetic force.

(References on following page) 7 8 References Cited by the Examiner 2,999,688 9/1961 Gabrielson 27233 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,023,825 3/1962 Rabjohn 180 3,041,070 6/1962 Kerstein 272-33 gfi g i f et gift? 3,127,190 3/1964 Thesmar 28079.1 2/1929 Phillips et a1 180 2 5 3,123,840 4/ 1964 Barrett 1 2 12/1932 Zivkov 2801.175 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1946 Livingston 280206 594 732 9 1925 France 6/1951 Lamka X 934,156 5/1948 France. 10/1951 Ypllkers 10 673,087 9/1952 Great Britain. 7/ 1952 p et 969,700 9/1953 Great Britain. 8/1952 Hertz 24255.53 5/ 1957 Lysne 2201-5 X BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner. 3/1959 Glaner 242-5553 3/1959 Winchester 27233 15 A. HARRY LEVY, LEO FRIAGLIA, Elamzners. 12/ 1959 Kasper 28079.1 X C. C. PARSONS, Assistant Examiner. 

2. AN OPEN TOP TOY OR EXERCISER COMPRISING A TUB-LIKE RECEPTACLE BODY WHOSE BOTTOM PORTION IS SO STRUCTURED AS TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL POINT CONTACT WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SURFACE ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED OPEN END UPWARD ON A PLACE ON ITS BOTTOM SO THAT THE TOY RESTS IN A SUBSTANTIAL POINT CONTACT AT A PLACE ON A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL SURFACE, SAID RECEPTACLE BODY BEING SO STRUCTURED AS TO SUPPORT A BODY WHEN SAID TOY IS IN USE, AND TO RENDER THE TOY UNSTABLE AT LEAST WHEN ROCKED, MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY PROTRUDING OUT FROM SAID BODY TO FACILITATE TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID TOY AWAY FROM THE PLACE ON SAID HORIZONTAL SURFACE IN CONTACT WITH SAID BOTTOM OF SAID TOY, SAID MEANS BEING SO POSITIONED AND SO DISPOSED ON A PORTION OF THE SURFACE OF SAID BODY BETWEEN SAID PLACE AND THE TOP OF SAID TOY SO THAT SAID TOY CAN BE ROCKED UP ONTO SAID MEMBER MEANS TO FACILITATE TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT WHEN ROCKING MOTION IS IMPARTED TO SAID TOY, WHEREBY SAID TRANSLATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID TOY IS EFFECTED WHEN SAID TOY IS ROCKED UP ONTO SAID MEANS, SAID MEMBER BEING ABOVE AND AWAY FROM SAID PLACE ON SAID BOTTOM AND BEING SO SHAPED AND POSITIONED SO THAT SAID MEMBER AND SAID PLACE WILL NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTACT SAID HORIZONTAL SURFACE. 